Our research focuses on interactions between bacteria and the circadian clock. We are particularly interested in understanding how differences in host immune responses impact susceptibility to infection. We primarily concentrate on how the circadian clock affects immune dynamics in the context of Streptococcus pneumoniae, but also how study how diverse bacteria affect with the host circadian rhythms. 

S. pneumoniae asymptomatically colonizes a significant portion of the human population, but, in the unfortunate few, can cause severe and life threatening invasive disease such as pneumonia, sepsis, meningitis, and death. How do variations in innate immunity contribute to these different states (i.e. asymptomatic colonization or invasive disease) and what bacterial factors upset this balance? Ultimately, if we understand these differences, we may be able to make novel therapeutics that enhance natural immunity already found within the population instead of relying solely on antibiotics to combat infectious disease.